Financial Exploitation

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported that Veneford Blankenship who oversaw financial operations at a nursing home pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Carol Casto. Blankenship worked as the business office supervisor and embezzled more than $80,000, according to the release.

Blankenship admitted that in beginning in June 2015, she secretly diverted residents’ payment checks from an operations account, to another account that allowed residents to collect funds that were occasionally spent on dinner, outings and small events for residents. She then wrote checks to herself from the account, forging the names of the people with signature authority, according to the release.

Blankenship faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced. Blankenship agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $82,926.15, as a part of her plea agreement, the release says.